14 a Flashcards
Alterations of Erythrocyte function
anaemia
Myeloproliferative disorders
anaemia
§ iron deficiency anaemia § pernicious anaemia (Vit B 12) § folate deficiency anaemia § aplastic anaemia § post-haemorrhagic anaemia § haemolytic anaemia’s o malarial o thalassaemia
Myeloproliferative disorders
§ polycythaemia
o primary
o secondary
The broad categories of problems with RBC’s include:
o Production
o Destruction
o Survival
RBC production
erythropoiesis
erythropoiesis is in equilibrium with
RBC destruction and loss. This balance ensures that an adequate number
of erythrocytes are available at all times
Erythropoietin
is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the kidneys (10%
in the liver) that is needed for RBC production.
Anaemia
Not a specific disease, but the manifestation of a pathologic process Involves an alteration to: Ø the number of erythrocytes (RBCs), or Ø quantity of haemoglobin, or Ø volume of packed RBC’s (haematocrit
Anaemia Classified by
§ laboratory review of full blood count (FBC), reticulocyte count & peripheral blood
smear
§morphology (Mean Cell Volume = MCV)
§ aetiology (cause)
* Most often discussed with focus on the “cause” of the anaemi
Full blood count (FBC)
This blood test provides information on
platelets and white blood cells, in addition to
red blood cells. Of these, the most important
are:
§ Haemoglobin (the protein to which oxygen binds)
§ The Red Cell Count and
§ The Mean Cell Volume
The Red Cell Count
(the number of cells in a
given volume of blood),
The Mean Cell Volume
(a measure of the size of
the red cell).
Acute anaemia
does not allow the body sufficient time to make
physiologic adjustments so patients are symptomatic with shortness
of breath, extreme fatigue, and cardiac discomfort (eg, trauma or
blood vessel rupture)
Chronic anaemia
develops gradually, more subtle symptoms such as
lethargy, pallor, and anorexia (eg, gastritis, haemorrhoids, heavy
menstrual flow, dietary iron-deficiency)
